I wore bandanas and scarfs all last year... but with the prediction of dust storms and maybe even alpha conditions - I think it's better to be prepared (especially since I have asthma)... plus I'm getting a lil scared with all these predictions!

Not necessarily related but the asthma talk got me thinking, if you suffer from sinus problems, these really help. I use mine every year and it's unbelievable how much crap comes out of my nose. There is tons of black dust stuck up in your sinuses which can really aggravate you, causing headaches, blood noses etc. If you're prone to that stuff, this is worth it.

I couldn't function with a nasal spay out there. I swear my nose was full of concrete. The only way to blow it was with nasal spay. It was the best gift/advise I got as a virgin. (Except of course the stuff my sisters told me when I was REALLY a virgin).

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

Ratty wrote:I couldn't function with a nasal spay out there. I swear my nose was full of concrete. The only way to blow it was with nasal spay. It was the best gift/advise I got as a virgin. (Except of course the stuff my sisters told me when I was REALLY a virgin).

advice i never got

FREE THE SHERPASBurners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.CATCH AND RELEASE.

My wife and I got respro techno masks for last year (and they were indeed overkill for last years conditions). My wifes was great, I however turn out to need an extra large, which they only make in one style and that i would need to order from england (and it costs 33 pounds) So i got a RZ mask for this year which i have yet to actually use, but i can make some comments. The RZ mask seems noticeably cheaper, the material is thinner and the breathing valve is not as nice (the rz mask is much cheaper, the respro I needed is 1.5 times the rz mask I got). The RZ mask doesn't seem flimsy though, it's that the respro seems particularly tough.The RZ mask stank of outgassing plastic when I got it, 2 weeks later and it now smells the same as the respro, so if you're going RZ get that order in soon. Respro offers a combination chemical/dust filter which could be nice if you're stuck down wind of something nasty burning, and would make the respro more useful outside of burning man. RZ offers a lot more colors/styles, which could be nice if you wanted to get crazy and match masks to outfits.

@Max - thanks for the details. I bought the rz mask and it seems ok but I was expecting a thicker material / something a bit more "substantial" than what I received. Luckily, it does not have an odor to it. I wore it around the house for a bit and I thought it was a bit uncomfortable and hard to breathe regularly. The area it covers got rather warm quickly. In your experience, is the about the same as the respro? I'm considering returning this and buying the respro.

Masks are uncomfortable, it's just the nature of the beasts, if anything the RZ is slightly less hot than the respro, but the respro I've got has a chemical and particle filter, and the RZ has only a particle filter, so there's less material there. Both are more comfortable than my respirator (which i'm bringing in case things go alpha, but will hopefully never actually use).

Got a Respro mask... Yeah it's nice... BUT, when it's on properly - my small frame motorcycle goggles no longer fit snuggly around the face, they clash with the mask around the nose! And if I move it low enough to not clash with the goggles, then the mask is riding just on the tip of the nose and a) doesn't fit snuggly anymore and b) seriously obstructs breathing if you clip the metal bits all the way to try and make it snugglier... Very disappointed. Lesson learnt - take goggles into account...

If you order em.. Open em up and air it out. Mine smelled like chemicals.. Probably a new neoprene smell.

Also.. Yesh, take into consideration, your goggles. If you wear any type of goggle that is big on your face.. The fit won't work. I wear goggles that go over my glasses and am sad to say, I'm hosed on wearing the combo. I will probably only use the RZ mask in dire need. I will stick with scarves.. For the most part.

Heya,can anyone recommend a mask or something similar that can be bought from a physical store (ie not online). We are travelling and can't order online. We'll be in Las Vegas before BM if that helps in recommending a store. We'll probably grab a bandana or similar, but given the current weather conditions on the playa something stronger may be required.

kriz wrote:Heya,can anyone recommend a mask or something similar that can be bought from a physical store (ie not online). We are travelling and can't order online. We'll be in Las Vegas before BM if that helps in recommending a store. We'll probably grab a bandana or similar, but given the current weather conditions on the playa something stronger may be required.